CHAP. XII.]           OR   SAINT   DOMINGO.                   373
Ueved that there could be such an extraordinary
excess of imports over the exports in a country the
credit of which has been so often impeached, and
the integrity of the government and people so much
questioned. It is not probable,—it is not credible,—
that the enterprising, yet wary, American should so
implicitly confide in Haytian integrity and honour
as to become a creditor of the latter to the extent of
nearly nine miUion three hundred thousand dollars;
and that the British trader should be led into a
similar mistaken confidence, whilst France and every
other country appear to have acted with the greatest
possible precaution, and always to have obtained
a quid pro quo—a consideration in return for an
equal value given.
Nothing can be more discouraging to the com-
mercial intercourse with Hayti, than the irregular
system under which every operation is conducted,
from the highest to the lowest office of the state.
The delays and procrastinations of the officers of
the customs are exceedingly injurious both to the
consignee and to the vessel : a studied dilatoriness
pervades all their proceedings. This delay is weU
known to the government, and repeated representa-
tions and remonstrances have been sent in to the
proper authorities, and some remedy particularly
sought for; but they have all been unsuccessful, and
the foreign merchants were left to pursue the best
course they possibly could, to obtain some little ex-